It’s an elegant combination of speed and style, luxury and power, one of the ultimate road driving experiences. It has been described as “a private jet for the street” and “a Teutonic chariot of the gods, mixing sumptuous luxury with earth-shaking power”. For us mere mortals, it is a vehicle that we can only yearn for whilst for the lucky few, it will be a drive that they relish every day.
We are, of course, referring to the newest addition to the Mercedes Benz AMG stable, the S65 AMG Coupe.
The hand-built engine is nothing short of a delight, as one would expect, with a twin-turbocharged 6.0 litre V12 engine, ensuring the AMG S65 has one of the most potent passenger car engines that money can buy. Think torque so powerful that, with just a mere squeeze of the throttle, your driving speed can more than double in a mere matter of seconds.
A new seven speed automatic gearbox, rather than the five speed unit in the previous generation of CL65 AMG Coupe, and a new stop start system aid in the dropping the fuel consumption to 11.9L/100kph. It’s an example of truly effortless power and, while handling beautifully on suburban streets with an official time of 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds , it’s on the open road that you can feel the true depth of this engine’s potential.
The S65 AMG Coupe’s sports suspension setup incorporates its exclusive active curve tilting function. This function allows the car, like a motorcyclist or skier, to lean into corners and improves passenger comfort and the overall driving experience.
AMG’s Road Surface Scan, a system which uses a stereo camera in the windscreen to monitor the road up to 15 metres ahead of the car, adds another dimension to the driving experience. In addition to keeping an eye out for curves, it can spot bumps and undulations, and adjust the Magic Body Control suspension to suit the driving conditions. The S6 is also equipped with active cruise control and lane keeping assistance as well as autonomous braking and a self driving stop-and-go system which is perfect for those moments when stuck in traffic jams.
As with any Mercedes Benz, its stylish good looks need not be mentioned. Nor do we need to mention its exquisite finish or luxurious fit out which is par for the course when referring to a vehicle of this calibre. That’s not to say you won’t enjoy every single moment cradled in the Nappa leather sports seats from Mercedes-Benz Designo customisation team.
Whilst the front seats are a luxurious place to be, the rear seats offer substantially less leg room. In an unusual move, the rear of the vehicle lacks window controls however this reiterates the AMG S65’s mission as a car to be enjoyed by the driver, rather than as a mere passenger.
Mercedes has, of course, added its own unique touches to the finish to make the AMG stand out from its fellow prestige vehicles. After all, not many vehicles in the world today have more than 90 Swarovski crystals in LED headlamps that blend variable lighting with cornering illumination and active high beam assistance.
The AMG’s double-glazed windows ensure the cabin is one of the quietest on the road. Its new new three-spoke steering wheel is linked to a speed-sensitive variable ratio setup. A standard head-up display projects the speedometer, as well as navigation instructions, traffic signs, speed limits and cruise control info, onto an 8.7-inch patch of windscreen ahead of the driver.
Even more technology ensures that the driver’s life is easy, including a surround view camera system, Burmester surround sound system, automated parking assistant and blind spot assistance.
Unfortunately for the general population, the price tag for this vehicle directly corresponds
with the number of bells and whistles that are included as standard on the S65. According to the price calculator on the Mercedes-Benz Australia website, the S65 Coupe will cost approximately $550,000 to park it in your garage, which means the membership to the S65 owner’s club here in Australia will certainly be limited to a privileged few.